A Ryanair passenger has spoken of his fury after being charged £5.50 for a bottle of water and some crisps - after a four-and-a-half hour delay.

Johnny McMenamin, 36, was already frustrated after his East Midlands Airport flight to Reus airport in Spain was sat on the runway for nearly three hours.

But it was nothing compared to the fury he felt when cabin crew expected him to shell out for a tube of Pringles.

He said the pilot made announcements that he was "stealing from the bar" after he refused to pay, claiming the food should be given for free as a "welfare package".

The passenger claimed the pilot had made an announcement saying he was "stealing from the bar" (Image: PA)

Voucher dispute

Johnny said the dispute arose when he realised, after chatting to another passenger, that he had missed an offer of vouchers for refreshments that were distributed in the departure lounge, reports Belfast Live .

He claimed flight attendants on board refused to give him the same vouchers afforded to other passengers.

He said: "After eventually boarding two hours late we didn't go anywhere for another two hours 45 minutes.

"Staff were rude and people were having to ask for water.

"By the time we took off my daughter was distressed and tired."

A tube of Pringles caused a bust-up on the flight

He added: "I couldn't believe they were trying to charge me for a snack for a child when we had been delayed for 4 hours 39 minutes. It was the early hours of the morning, my daughter was hungry and exhausted.

"I told them it was a welfare package I was looking for at that stage, not a menu.

"I asked for a bottle of water and Pringles for my daughter and they insisted I needed to pay £5.50, which I refused out of principal."

Police involved

Johnny said he finally paid for the items after the pilot made two announcements warning that a passenger was "stealing from the bar" and would be met by police on arrival if payment was not made.

He said: "I did pay because I did not want to cause my daughter any more stress but I cannot believe the flight attendants would not give a five year-old a free bottle of water and packet of Pringles after the huge delay."

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What did Ryanair say?

A Ryanair spokesman said the airline did not "tolerate unruly, disruptive or unlawful behaviour".

He added: “This flight from Barcelona Reus to East Midlands (13 August) was regrettably delayed ahead of take-off due to ongoing air traffic control restrictions and air traffic control staff shortages across Europe.

"Customers were provided with refreshment vouchers and boarded the aircraft, but the flight was further delayed due to continued slot delays.

"The crew opened the bars and served refreshments, before the aircraft departed to East Midlands later that night.